On an ordinary late autumn day in Beijing, Grandma Li went to the park for morning exercise as usual. Grandma Li is 72 years old this year, and her body has always been very tough, and she never takes medicine easily. However, this year's autumn was exceptionally cold, with a sudden cold snap causing temperatures to plummet. Despite the feelings, Grandma Li still insisted on exercising every morning, believing that her body could adapt to the changes. Unfortunately, just a week later, she began to experience symptoms such as coughing and runny nose, and was eventually diagnosed with an autumn cold. Repeated colds have greatly affected her quality of life, and she has to visit the hospital frequently.
This case is not isolated, and many middle-aged and elderly people have similar experiences in the fall and winter. So why is it so easy to catch a cold in autumn and winter? Part of the answer lies in the ancient wisdom of Chinese medicine.
Why are you susceptible to colds in autumn and winter: a TCM perspective
Physical changes at the turn of autumn and winter
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the human body is closely related to the natural environment. In autumn and winter, the weather gets colder, and the yang energy in nature begins to converge, and the yang energy of the human body is also hidden in it to adapt to the cold outside. This natural physiological change causes the body's epidermis to tighten, blood circulation to slow down, and metabolic speed to decrease. At this time, the body's defense power naturally declines, and if it cannot be adjusted and strengthened in time, it is easy to be invaded by external evil spirits.
The Six Evils of External Sense: The main invaders of autumn and winter
In TCM theory, there are "six evils" (wind, cold, heat, dampness, dryness, and fire), which are external adverse factors that cause diseases. In autumn and winter, cold and dry evil are the most common. The cold evil invades the human body due to the cold weather, resulting in the acceleration of physical energy consumption and the decline of physical fitness; the dry evil damages the lung yin due to the dry air, the lungs are the main organs of the respiratory system, once damaged, they are easy to feel the wind cold, causing colds.
People with yang deficiency constitution are especially vigilant
In particular, it is worth mentioning that Chinese medicine believes that people with yang deficiency in autumn and winter are more susceptible to colds. People with yang deficiency constitution usually have a weak constitution, cold hands and feet, fatigue easily, and poor adaptability to cold. At the turn of autumn and winter, they should pay more attention to enhancing the yang energy in the body and improving their own resistance.
By understanding these TCM theories, we can better prevent and respond to colds in autumn and winter. Adjusting your diet, exercising, keeping warm, and using TCM methods are all very beneficial measures.
How TCM Prevents Colds: Key Methods and Practices
Diet: the foundation of autumn and winter health
Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes the "homology of medicine and food", and dietary conditioning plays a vital role in the prevention of colds. In autumn and winter, the climate is dry and cold, and the body's yang energy gradually collects, and the yin energy rises. At this time, appropriately increasing the amount of food that nourishes yin and moisturizes dryness can enhance the body's ability to resist disease. For example, stewed white fungus with pear can not only moisten the lungs and relieve cough, but also improve the body's immunity. In addition, duck soup is also a good choice in autumn and winter, because duck meat is cold, can go to the fire to nourish yin, add a little wolfberry, can further enhance the nourishing effect.
Dress and lifestyle habits: Prevention is better than cure
As the saying goes, "practice three nines in winter, practice three dogs in summer", and dressing in autumn and winter is also a university question. Keeping warm without being overly restrictive is key. Middle-aged and elderly people should increase or decrease clothing in time according to weather changes, especially in the morning and evening when the temperature difference is large. Traditional Chinese medicine also suggests that in autumn and winter, warm supplements should be chosen instead of hot supplements to avoid the body being too excited, but reducing resistance. In addition, maintaining a moderate amount of outdoor activities, such as walking and tai chi, can promote the circulation of qi and blood and enhance physical fitness.
The application of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the prevention of colds
Moxibustion: Warm the meridians and dispel cold, strengthen the body
Moxibustion is a traditional treatment that warms the body's meridians by burning moxa, especially suitable for health care in autumn and winter. It warms the meridians, dispels cold, and strengthens yang. Regular moxibustion, especially at acupuncture points such as Zusanli and Kidney Yu, can effectively improve the body's immunity and reduce the occurrence of colds. Moxibustion is simple to operate and suitable for self-implementation at home, which is a good way for middle-aged and elderly people to prevent diseases.
Acupressure massage: turning stones into gold, hands to get rid of diseases
In traditional Chinese medicine, acupressure is a simple and easy way to maintain health. For the prevention of colds, you can focus on massaging the following acupoints: Fengchi (located above the hairline at the back of the neck, in the depression of the large tendons on both sides), Hegu (located at the high bone between the palm and thumb), and Zusanli (located at the four horizontal fingers below the knee). The massage of these acupuncture points stimulates the body's defense system and strengthens the resistance, thus effectively preventing colds.
Through these TCM dietary conditioning and characteristic therapies, combined with the adjustment of clothing and behavioral habits in daily life, the incidence of winter colds can be greatly reduced. These methods are not only scientific but also easy to practice, and are a health book that every family can easily use.